Category Archives: Environment

President of Mauritius appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute

From: News Release – APO (African Press Organization)
PRESS RELEASEPEI will also launch office in Mauritius to run expand science, technology and innovation programmes

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 22, 2015/ —

-The President of the Republic of Mauritius HE Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute (PEI)

-PEI will also launch office in Mauritius to run expand science, technology and innovation programmes

-HE the President will host the official launch of the PEI at the State House in Mauritius on November 23rd 2015

The President of Mauritius, HE Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, has been appointed Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Planet Earth Institute (PEI), an international NGO and charity working for the ‘scientific independence of Africa’. Her Excellency will host the official launch of the PEI on an event at the State House on November 23rd 2015 along with Dr Álvaro Sobrinho, the PEI’s founding Chairman, and the full Board of Trustees.

As Vice Chairman and Trustee of the PEI, Dr. Gurib-Fakim will work alongside fellow Board Members, Dr Álvaro Sobrinho, the prominent Angolan philanthropist and businessman, Rt Hon Lord Boateng, a member of the UK House of Lords, Prof. Sir Christopher Edwards, the distinguished academic, and Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, the pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon.

The PEI’s expansion to Mauritius will build upon its international work to support African science, technology and innovation, as well develop a number of locally focused initiatives to be announced in early 2016.

HE Dr. Gurib-Fakim was appointed as President of the Republic of Mauritius in June 2015, following a highly distinguished career as a scientist and businesswoman, including a role as Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Mauritius. In recognition of her significant contributions to scientific research, she was awarded L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2007.

The PEI’s launch on 23rd November will be an exclusive, high-level meeting for a range of key stakeholders including African government ministries, international institutions, private businesses, local and pan-African universities, and civil society.

The private launch will be followed by an expert policy roundtable focusing on ‘Mauritius and Africa’s scientific independence: the role of business’, hosted by HE President Gurib-Fakim and the Board of the PEI.

HE Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius:

“Mauritius has a proud track record of investing in scientific excellence and developing research. In the future, science, technology and innovation will be vital in creating jobs and prosperity for our citizens in Mauritius and across the mainland African continent.

I look forward to helping lead the PEI’s work as Vice Chairman and Trustee, and in turn to contributing to our continent’s increasing scientific and technological excellence, as the underlying foundations of our sustainable development”.

Dr. Álvaro Sobrinho, Chairman of the Planet Earth Institute:

“Although Africa has experienced sustained economic growth over the past decade, scientific and technological output has not kept pace. Yet, if we want to ensure that sustainable development is a reality for all, we must make greater investments in science and technology, and equip our next generations with the skills they need to compete in a globalised, 21st Century workplace.

Along with my distinguished fellow Board Members, I am absolutely delighted that HE President Gurib-Fakim is joining the PEI as our Vice Chairman and Trustee. With her distinguished research career and strong commitment to a science-led development agenda for Africa, the PEI is now well positioned to continue to grow and develop as an organisation, and, crucially, to keep increasing our impact on Africa’s scientific agenda”.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Planet Earth Institute.

Notes to Editors:

The Planet Earth Institute (PEI) is an international NGO and charity working for the scientific independence of Africa
All of our work is built around the three pathways we believe will help lead Africa to scientific independence: Higher Education, Technological Innovation and Policy and Advocacy
The PEI is headquartered in London, UK, with offices in Port Louis, Mauritius and Luanda, Angola

Interviews or further information:

For further information on the PEI’s launch in Mauritius or for interview requests with those involved, please contact:

James Knight on james@planetearthinstitute.org.uk or +447725 209 507.

Sarah Hambly on sarah@planetearthinstitute.org.uk or +447879 739 405

SOURCE
Planet Earth Institute

APO content is copyright free and can be republished at will.

AWEPA Conference on Peace, Security and Sustainable Development – Press Release

From: Communications | AWEPA
For Immediate Release

Peace, Security and Sustainable Development:

AWEPA Parliamentary Seminar addresses violent extremism and terrorism

Brussels, Belgium – Peaceful societies are a vital requirement for sustainable development. The Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) will hold an International Parliamentary Seminar on “Peace, Security and Sustainable Development”, with a special focus on addressing the root causes and consequences of violent extremism and terrorism. The seminar will be hosted by the Belgian Senate in Brussels on 8-9 October 2015.

This theme was chosen in light of growing international attention to the importance of peace and security in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Over the past decade, fragile and conflict-affected states have underperformed on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As we now transition towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), parliamentarians have a key role to play in developing policy and legal frameworks that address violent extremism and terrorism, their complex root causes and their multiple consequences.

While the nexus between peace, security and sustainable development has been broadly recognised, there has only recently been an acceptance that combating terrorism is an important component of the peace and security agenda, and thus intimately connected to the development agenda.

The International Parliamentary Seminar will aim to raise awareness among African and European MPs of the interconnection between security and sustainable development, as well as the latest parliamentary initiatives and strategies on violent extremism and terrorism.

African MPs from national parliaments and regional parliamentary bodies, MPs from several European parliaments and the European Parliament, African parliamentary staff and academics will come together to debate and reflect on how national, regional and continental parliaments in Africa and Europe can strengthen their role in achieving lasting peace and security.

Key speakers include AWEPA’s President and Minister of State Ms. Miet Smet, H.E. Macharia Kamau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations, Hon. Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mr. Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, Hon. Santiago Nsobeya Efuman Nchama, Speaker of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) Parliament, Mr. Gilles de Kerchove, European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and H.E. Ambassador Francisco Madeira, African Union Special Representative for Counter-terrorism Cooperation, among others.

About AWEPA

AWEPA works in cooperation with African Parliaments to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa, to keep Africa high on the political agenda in Europe and to facilitate African-European Parliamentary dialogue. AWEPA’s President and Minister of State Ms. Miet Smet will open the International Parliamentary Seminar on 8 October 2015.

Where: Belgian Senate

7 rue de Louvain, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

When: 8-9 October 2015

Thursday 8th October, from 8.30 – 18.00 hours

Friday 9th October, from 9.00-12.30 hours

Contact: Anastasia-Areti Gavrili

Communications Officer, a.gavrili@awepa.org

More information:
http://www.awepa.org/news/peace-security-sustainable-development-awepa-international-parliamentary-seminar-belgian-senate/

Planet Earth , review of Discovery Channel Series

date: Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 7:05 PM

from: Francis Mwangi Chege

As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced ….

the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you’ll ever experience from the comforts of home.

[visit THU,M topic page in right column for more.]

KENYA: GOVERNMENT REQUESTED TO TO INSTRUCT KWA TO CONDUCT MASS CULLING OF HIPPOS

NYATIKE MP PLEADS WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE HIPPOS POPULATION IN LAKE VICTORIA.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo

A member of parliament has appealed to the central government of Kenya to instruct the Kenya Wildlife Service’s {KWS to conduct what he termed as mass culling of Hippo population in Lake Victoria in order to reduce the numerous attacks by these beasts which have resulted in the deaths of fishermen.

Nyatike MP Edick Omondi Anyanga Also decried of the increased population of the dreaded Nile Crocodile in River Kuja, which has become dangerous to the people and their livestock.

The MP comment came in the wake of report that a 28 old fisherman was killed by a rogue bull of hippo.The incident occurred near Muhuru Bay.The 28 year old man whose name was given as Kennedy had gone fishing with a companion when the beast attacked and hit their fishing boat and overturned throwing the two into the deep side of the water, His companion swam to the safety, while Kennedy was thrown into the water and the beast bite him savagely killing him instantly.

His badly mutilated body was later retrieved. There has been several incidents along the shoreline of the lake which have all resulted in deaths caused by hippos stretching from Sindo beach in Suba South constituency following an alarming increased in hippo’s population. The situation now calls for mass culling in order to reduce the population of these dangerous beasts .Hippos are also destructive in a way destroying food crops causing hunger and famine to the communities living along the lake shorelines.

In another unrelated incident a woman was devoured by the Nile crocodile in River Kuja near wath Ong’er trading in north Kadem location also in Migori County.

The MP pleaded with the government to come to the rescue his constituents before more people are killed by These dangerous creature. In the case of crocodile attack the body of the woman a mother of three who had gone to the to wash her clothes in the river was retrieved after three days of search, but thebeast had cut her body into two halves and the reptiles had already swallowed the other half.

ENDS

Hazard assessment of ores and concentrates for marine transport

from: Yona Maro

This guidance document is intended to assist mining and metals companies in meeting the demands of new marine transport regulations including:

• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) – Annex V
• International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC)
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG).

In this guidance ICMM sets out the approach that leading mining and metals commodity associations have developed in collaboration with scientific experts from research institutes around the world.

http://www.icmm.com/document/7852

Minerals and Metals Management 2020: a chemicals management progress report

From: Yona Maro

This report reviews the commitments that ICMM made in 2009 to the United Nations’ Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM); the progress that ICMM and its members have made toward these commitments; how they plan to fulfill them; and where the mining and metals industry stands with regard to chemicals management.

http://www.icmm.com/document/4243

vil Men, Evil Agendas!

From: ‘frank patrick materu’

GEOENGINEERING (Global Weather Modification) is threatening all life on earth.

Geoengineers deny having deployed aerosol programs for years, yet they are currently proposing to spray 10-20 million tons of aluminum oxide other toxic chemicals into our sky annually as stated in numerous geoengineering documents. Lab tests have disclosed extremely high levels of these metals in ground, water, rain and atmospheric tests worldwide. Blood and urine tests reveal alarming levels of aluminum, barium, strontium, cadmium, and other chemicals known to cause high blood pressure, cancer, asthma, Alzheimers, heart, kidney and liver damage, osteoporosis, chronic inflammation, headaches, skin disorders, severe lung, spleen and intestinal diseases, immune system decline, blurred vision, intense ringing in ears, muscle weakness, hear loss, etc. NO purpose justifies these consequences.

Chemtrials are we the experiment? What do you think about this?

Frank Materu

Geoengineering Affects You and Your Loved Ones

image

Geoengineering Affects You and Your Loved Ones
documenting the chemtrail-geoengineering coverup
View on www.geoengineerin…
Preview by Yahoo
http://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/

Water Supply and Sanitation Blue Book 2014

From: Yona Maro

Well-run water utilities play an important role in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Consumers need reliable access to high quality and affordable water and sanitation services. To deliver these basic services efficiently and effectively requires high-performing utilities that are able to respond to urban growth, to connect with the poor, and to improve wastewater disposal practices. The IBNET Water Supply and Sanitation Blue Book 2014 summarizes the water sector status from 2006 to 2011. Since 2006, municipal water performance has improved despite accelerated urbanization and the impacts of triple crises (food, fuel, and financial). Overall coverage has increased and piped water and wastewater services became accessible to more people. An increasing number of utilities now actively handle the water billing, collection, and water management through metering. IBNET tools, such as data collection instruments and protocols, the IBNET database, and the IBNET tariff database, enable enhanced sharing of information on close to 4,500 utilities from more than 130 countries and territories.

Link:
<a href”https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/19811/9781464802768.pdf?sequence=5″>https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/19811/9781464802768.pdf?sequence=5</a>

KENYA: TWO PEOPLE KILLED AND EIGHT MORE HURT IN LIGHTNING INCIDENT IN ONE WEEK

Reports Leo Odera Omolo

RESIDENTS of several villages within Nyatike constituency are still in big shock following a series of incidents in which lightning struck four places and killed two pupils within two days and within a radius of eight kilometers apart.

The residents say they have never experienced similar incidents before and called upon the government to send geological experts to go and examine the ground if there are some hidden minerals on the ground that attract the thunder ball in the area.

The areas involved are those close to the closed down former Macalder and Masara gold mines. The mines which had been closed way back in 1962 had a lot o deposits gold, nickels and cooper. They were closed way back in 1962 before Kenya attained its political independence from Great Britain in 1963 and the former owners and managers packed and went away.

Small scale mining of the precious stones are still going on by small time local miners, though of late some prospectors and mining companies from Europe and South African have invaded the area and formed several mining companies.

The first incident took place early last week at Namba Kodero, Kanyarwanda sub-clan where two pupils aged 9 and 13 were struck dead. The incident came soon on the heels of the victim’s father’s funeral.

The second incident took place at Kongili village in Masara village not far from the defunct Masara gold mine. A woman and her small child were hurt as she was drawing the rains waters during the heavy downpour.

Another serious lightning incident was reported at OSIRI gold mine, which is very close to the defunct, Macalder Goldmine and the other one was near airport at a place called God Kwach. Two men who were taking shelter in a house were hurt. The survived but sustained serious bodily burns which required medical treatment.

THE AREA mp Edick Omondi Anyanga has joined the residents in requesting the government to send geological experts to go and examine the grounds in the area.

One scared resident told this writer Migori that the residents were now living in fear at all the rains which come to them. He said many have deserted their homes and moved to other villages faraway from these areas close to the abandoned gold shafts. They are just figuring it out as to whether it’s a pattern.

Many parts of West Kenya are prone to lightning attack during the short rains which begin early in August and end in December. So far the thunder ball has killed more than 12 people in various places including Nandi, Bungoma, Busia and Ksii,and Bomet regions since the beginning of last month.

Ends

A Message From Jane Goodall on World Elephant Day 2014

From: Abdalah Hamis

Happy World Elephant Day, Green Monsters! The Jane Goodall Institute has released a very special message from (you guessed it!), Dr. Jane Goodall herself in honor of this very special day.

According to Goodall, approximately 96 elephants die each day at the hands of mankind, and the destruction of elephant populations is occurring at an alarming rate. In fact, it is estimated that around 35,000-50,000 African elephants die each year for the ivory trade. And the current rates at which elephants are being slaughtered are greatly exceeding pachyderm birth rates, meaning if we don’t start cleaning up our act, our planet is at risk of losing these giants.

In the words of Goodall, “If we don’t all get involved, the time’s going to come when the elephants are gone.”

Luckily, there are ways to help! Goodall recommends that her fans get involved in any way possible, big or small. One example of a way to get involved is to participate in the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. The march calls for bans on the trade of wildlife body parts and raises global awareness on wildlife trafficking. If you simply can’t attend, spreading Goodall’s message will allow you to educate the general public on elephant conservation.

Show us your celebratory spirit, and start helping our pachyderm friends!

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/a-message-from-jane-goodall-on-world-elephant-day/

20 July 2014, 45th yearly Moon Day

From: pwbmspac

Greetings:

Happy Moon Day. It is once again time to take note of the annual memorial for Apollo 11 lunar landing. Now it has been all of 45 years since that Sunday. I, my brother, parents, and many million others around watched that “creaky old stile black & white movie” type of scratchy video as Neal Armstrong, then Buzz Aldrin descended ladder of their lunar lander on to the lunar surface, while Michael Collins tended the command & service Apollo modules in lunar orbit.

That is 45 years past, but still significant. (Interestingly, numerically, 1969 and 2014 share the same dates / days of week calender layout.)

In mid 1970-s about 7 years afterward, a Princeton Physicist, Gerard K. O’Neil brought to public attention an interesting vision – – Space Development. That is mining, industrial manufacturing, settlements of standard terrestrial human kind beginning to establish ourselves in that valuable real estate out across the solar system That view is still worthy of grasping so as to once again set course toward helping most people to thrive economically, and look forward with hope again, not just exist in great fear that they are just a short period from being rendered destitute, while the rulers have never had it better.

In the mean time, you may still hear a few interesting bits of news. One of the coastal Emirate neighbors of Saudi Arabia have committed to sending a space probe of their own to Mars. The CEO of the Tesla electric car company and of Space X has had a successfully cargo delivery flight by his Falcon launch vehicle and Dragon reusable space craft reach the international space station. Its price tag was lower than its prior competitors. The Mars Society solicited for volunteers willing to become Mars Settlers in a few years. Many people filed applications seeking to be selected. A researcher has been publishing tech papers asserting that his theoretical studies might in a few decades culminate in Star Trek style Warp Drives becoming possible. He is on staff at a NASA center, and is hoping that the small effort may endure for a bit.

These are a few small positive notes. But surely, many folks will agree that affordable, wide open to all, access to space, for regular folk to do there what they now routinely do hear for gaining livelihoods, is taking far too long.

Sincerely,
Power Beam Spacer
North America
Sol III A (Terra)

Ethiopia Welcomes Egypt’s Shift in Position Over Nile Row

From: Abdalah Hamis

BY TESFA-ALEM TEKLE

Ethiopia on Thursday commended Egypt’s unprecedented and an official decision to peacefully resolve a long-standing dispute with Addis Ababa over a controversial power plant project known as Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

“Ethiopia strongly welcomes Egypt’s interest to re-launch talk over the GERD and solve the problem through dialogue,” spokesperson for Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti told journalists.

“Egypt has no other option except dialogue and win-win negotiation to find a solution that is acceptable by both sides,” he added.

Egypt’s newly elected president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has recently pledged to resolve the water dispute with Ethiopia through dialogue.

Ethiopian officials said that al-Sisi is expected to pay an official visit to Ethiopia soon probably making it his first trip to a foreign nation since he assumed office in June 8.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Tedros Adhanom, who attended the new president’s inaugural ceremony in Cairo, has held meeting with al-Sisi and other high ranking officials over the multi-billion dollar power plant project.

During their discussion Adhanom has reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment for cooperation with Egypt based on mutual trust and confidence.

Al-Sisi and Adhanom have also agreed to reactivate the tripartite technical dialogue between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia and harmonize existing differences by high-level political consultations.

Addis Ababa insists the $ 4.6 billion dam project won’t adversely affect Egypt and Sudan instead the downstream countries will be benefited from the cheap and renewable hydro power processed electricity it generates.

Egypt considers the massive dam project, as a threat to its water security arguing it will eventually diminish its water share.

SUDAN REAFFIRMS SUPPORT

Mean while, Sudanese vice-president, Bakri Hassan Saleh, has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the dam project which Ethiopia is building in Nile river near the Sudanese border.

Saleh who was in Addis Ababa earlier this week to attend a regional summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) made the remarks while holding talks Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

“Sudan will derive multiple benefits from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project,” Saleh said according to the state-run Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA).

SOUTH SUDAN CRISES

Saleh and Desalegn have also consulted on the 6 month old conflict in South Sudan.

While commending Ethiopia’s role to peacefully end the conflict in neighbouring South Sudan, Saleh called on Addis Ababa to continue exerting maximum efforts to bring lasting solution.

Desalegn, for his part, assured his country would remain committed to end the political crises in the youngest nation.

“Ethiopia will continue to put pressure on the South Sudanese rivals through all channels available,” said the Ethiopian premier.

Leaders of the two SPLM rival factions, President Salva Kiir and his political rival Riek Machar, on Tuesday agreed to end fighting and form a unity government within two months.

At a news conference he gave Friday, spokesperson for Ethiopia foreign ministry, Dina Mufti said IGAD member countries have been frustrated by the failure of previous deals.

He however went on to saying that the regional bloc mediating the two warring factions won’t hesitate to take action if the two sides once again violate the latest agreements.

He added peacekeeping force drawn from Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya will be deployed to end the conflict which has killed thousands since erupted in mid December last year.

KENYA: KISUMU COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS FAILING IN ITS SERVICE DELIVERY

KISUMU ASSEMBLY IS ACCUSED OF SQUANDERING MILLIONS OF TAXPAYERS MONEY ON USELESS FOREIGN TRIPS.

Writwea Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

RESIDENTS of KISUMU city are up in arms against the county government headed by governor Jack Ranguma of spending the taxpayers money extravagantly by sponsoring foreign trips for MCA’s with no material gains to the residents

The issue has raised political temperatures in this lakeside City, which is now stinking in filth owing to non-existence of refuse and garbage collection. With waste paper littering the town streets and broken and sewerage lines goes unrepairable for weeks, some of the broken sewerage lines passes through the residential estates thereby posing health hazard to the residents.

Some of the MCAS who are scrambling for inclusion into the numerous foreign trips are semi-illiterate persons who can gain no experience that could be beneficial to the residents due to their communication problems’. The Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma seemed to have been captivated by the MCAs and is therefore unable to control the county government’s budget making millions to go to waste.

Discontent has arisen following the revelation that sixteen Kisumu MCAs have left the country for the tour of the State of Israel amid public protest against these fruitless and no value added foreign trips by MCAS which have no value to the residents. However, sources have revealed that when the sixteen return home, another 25 MCAs will also make yet another money fubbling trip to Singapore. Later this month. These trips, says the residents, could gobbles being stinking and giving bad dour everywhere include a Central Business district {CBD}, these valueless trips could cost the Assembly as much money as Kshs 30 million, which goes to the wastes and yet the City lacked basic amenities such as street lights, persistent acute shortage of water and poor system of refuse collection which as contributed to the City to be in bad state of stinking due to left and uncollected garbage and waste papers.

Those who are reported to have traveled to Israel are members of the County who have nothing to learn in the ultra modern Israeli farming system due to their communication problems. Some of them were petty kiosk traders with no elementary education before they were elected from the various town wards to the Assembly.

They include the Assembly Speaker Ann Adul and the Clerk Nelco Sagwe. The same Assembly Speaker Ann Adul last year squandered the sums of Kshs 694,847 when she was sponsored by the Assembly to attend a conference in Atlanta, US.

In January, this year, the County government coughed out the colossal amount of money when it sent 47 MCAs on a six days educational tour of the neighboring Uganda at the average rate of Kshs 3000 expenses per day each, The Assembly was also on spot for s trip to Germany for eleven MCAS who were paid Kshs 3000 each per day expenses per day.

Upon these MCAs return from such luxury trips, they offer no explanation of the experiences they gained in those countries, which could be of benefits to the Kisumu residents. These MCAS only come home quietly without calling either a press conferences to explain the gains and experiences they had acquired as a result of their expensive trips abroad. The residents of Kisumu now viewed and maintains that these trips are amounting to naked looting of the Assembly resources and therefore must be stopped. The Central government should ma pout the plan governing foreign trips by MCAs. The Office of the President must also initiate the system of giving clearance for such trip in conjunction with the relevant ministry in charge of the devolution .

The residents now call upon the Central government to intervene and to ensure that these luxurious Childish and useless foreign trips by KISUMU MCAs are stopped forthwith.

There is also a disaster in waiting in KISUMU. The dumpsite, which is located between Kachok and the Moi’s stadium, has attracted a lot of birds, feeding on the filth. The dump site is located right in the middle of the town. It is on the direct routes of the aircraft flight coming and leaving the recently much improved Kisumu International Airport. And the risk of the bird strikes on aircraft is there. This is because the dump site is on the direct route of aircraft coming and leaving the recently expanded Kisumu International Airport. Therefore there is an urgent need fr the KISUMU County government to look for another suitable dump site. Air disasters have occurred in other countries caused by birds hitting the airplane engines in flights and causing death and injuries to the passengers.

It is even causing amusement to leaned that the Assembly is currently using street urchins [Ninjas} for the purport of refuse collections in the town. Why? This kind of negligence is impacting negatively on the residents of KISUMU. The main Kisumu Bus terminal is stinking with dirty garbage and the same is sighted n Henderso,Lumumba, Ondiek, Kaloleni and Maakasembo and other residential estates

Ends

A Stronger Role of the Private Sector in Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Developing Countries

From: Yona Maro

Having a decent job is widely recognised as the best way out of poverty. The private sector provides some 90 per cent of jobs in developing countries, and is thus an essential partner in the fight against poverty. It is also needed as an investor in sustainable agricultural production if the world is to meet the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. And through innovation and investment in low-carbon and resource-efficient solutions, it will have a major role to play in the transformation towards an inclusive green economy. Given the private sector’s potential for generating inclusive and sustainable growth in developing countries, private stakeholders including businesses, financial intermediaries, associations and workers and employers organisations are emerging as ever more active in the development field, both as a source of finance and as partners for governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and donors.
Link
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/economic-support/private-sector/documents/psd-communication-2014_en.pdf

Yona Fares Maro

Institut d’études de sécurité – SA

Africa – Health – Hunger: Climate change is exacerbating multiple stresses such as food insecurity and spread of diseases in Africa

From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE

African Ministers Responsible for Meteorology Seek to Increase Community Resilience

Climate change is exacerbating multiple stresses such as food insecurity and spread of diseases in Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 22, 2014/ — Climate change occasioned by severe weather and extreme climate events is exacerbating multiple stresses such as food insecurity and spread of diseases in Africa. In 2012 alone, an estimated 37.3 million Africans were negatively affected by hydro meteorological hazards; a 43.3% increase in annual average over the last decade.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/amcomet.jpg

Photo 1: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/140521.png

Photo 2: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/photos/1405211.png

The African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) (http://www.wmo.int/amcomet) is, therefore, intensifying efforts to integrate weather and climate services in national and sub-regional development frameworks to save lives and improve the livelihoods of communities. A transformative approach is required to introduce innovative adaptation measures that build the resilience of communities to cope with adverse impacts of climate change.

“Every African country should be involved in the transformative development of the continent”, says African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, adding that, “supporting weather and climate services is critical in strengthening Africa’s resilience in the context of Africa Agenda 2063 on the Africa We Want”.

From 26 to 30 May 2014, “the Task Force and Bureau Meeting of AMCOMET” to be hosted by Zimbabwe in Harare will refine the draft Implementation Plan of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) for the period spanning 2014 – 2018. The Ministers will also discuss resource mobilisation for priority investments to build climate related disaster resilience, including the development of a pan-African Space Policy.

“This landmark strategy is designed to maximize the contribution of meteorological services to sustainable development by gearing the necessary resources and recognition from governments,” said Hon Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate of Zimbabwe and the Chair of AMCOMET.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET).

For all media enquiries (radio, TV interviews and photos) please email:

Ms. Josiane Uwantege: juwantege(at)wmo.int or phone: +263 772 726 264 / +41 78 664 41 82

Ms. Clare Nullis: cnullis(at)wmo.int or phone +41 22 730 8478 / 41 79 709 1397

Ms. Carol Jilombo: Jilomboc(at)africa-union.org

Notes to Editors

AMCOMET (http://www.wmo.int/amcomet) was established during the first meeting of Ministers responsible for Meteorology in Africa, co-organized by WMO and AUC, hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2010. As an important outcome of the Nairobi Declaration, AMCOMET was defined as a high-level mechanism for the development of meteorology and its applications in Africa. The Second Session of AMCOMET approved the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology, which was developed to enhance the cooperation between African countries; and to ensure that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) have the necessary resources and capacity to fulfil their mandates.

For more information, visit:

• http://www.wmo.int/amcomet/

• https://www.wmo.int

SOURCE

African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET)

PRESS STATEMENT: BOTSWANA WINTER OUTLOOK MAY TO JULY 2014

From: Charles Banda

May, June, July 2014 (MJJ) The Department of Meteorological Services (DMS) has concluded that during the months of May, June and July 2014; The northern parts of the country (Ngamiland, Chobe and northern parts of the Central Districts) are expected to experience largely normal with a tendency to below-normal temperatures.

Normal maximum and minimum temperatures for this region are 27°C and 9°C respectively. The eastern parts of the country (Northeast and southern parts of the Central Districts) are expected to experience largely normal with a tendency to above-normal temperatures. Normal maximum and minimum temperatures for this region are 24°C and 7°C respectively. The southern halve of the country (Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, Southern, Southeast Kgatleng and Kweneng) are also expected to experience largely normal with a tendency to above-normal temperatures. Normal maximum and minimum temperatures for this region are 23°C and 5°C respectively.

The Department has reviewed the state of the global climate systems and analyzed the temperature prospects for the period of May to July 2014. Subsequently, the temperature forecast for the upcoming winter season for Botswana was issued. The conclusions reached are based on the state of the Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) over the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans amongst others.

Note: DMS advises that the seasonal prediction is relevant only to seasonal time scale and relatively large areas. Nevertheless local and intra-seasonal variation may occur. This may result in cold spells from time to time. Users are therefore strongly advised to contact the DMS for further clarification, updates and additional guidance.

Department of Meteorological Services
P.O. Box 10100, Gaborone
Tel: 3612200
Corner Maaloso-Metsimothaba Road
Gaborone Village

Al Gore Promotes Population Control: Africans Must Have Their Fertility “Managed”

From: Fakhi Karume

Al Gore is coming under fire for promoting population control in Africa, saying that citizens of African nations must have their fertility “managed.”

Al Gore is coming under fire for promoting population control in Africa, saying that citizens of African nations must have their fertility “managed.”

Tim Graham of Neswbusters blogged on what was said:

algoreSpeaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, former vice president Al Gore asserted that it’s crucial for global philanthropists to impose “fertility management” on Africa. No one called that racist.

Gore, who apparently mismanaged his fertility by having four children, praised the “wonderful work’ of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: “Depressing the rate of child mortality, educating girls, empowering women and making fertility management ubiquitously available — so women can chose how many children and the spacing of children — is crucial to the future shape of human civilization.”

He warned, “Africa is projected to have more people than China and India by mid-century — more than China and India combined by end of the century, and this is one of the causal factors that must be addressed.”

Gore pushed population control back in 2011 as well:

Gore spoke at New York City’s “Games For Change” Festival. He addressed his same old shtick: climate control and the environment, but this time added a new twist: adding that the stabilization of the earth’s population will help curb pollution. Gore remarked:

“One of the things we could do about it is to change the technologies, to put out less of this pollution, to stabilize the population, and one of the principle ways of doing that is to empower and educate girls and women. You have to have ubiquitous availability of fertility management so women can choose how many children have, the spacing of the children… You have to educate girls and empower women. And that’s the most powerful leveraging factor, and when that happens, then the population begins to stabilize and societies begin to make better choices and more balanced choices.”

Gore is echoing the same message Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates gave in a video he posted to YouTube last year, in which he stated, “If we do a really great job on new vaccines, healthcare, reproductive health services, we could lower [the population] by perhaps 10 or 15 percent.” Thankfully, the video was removed, but it seems to have left an impression.

What I want to know is: Since when does America have a population control problem? And when did our environment become so endangered that we need to consider killing our children to fix it?

What Gore clearly doesn’t understand is that there’s a much more important issue plaguing our country. Polluted waters and climate changes are a concern sure, but the extermination of innocent children is a crime of much more concern, and one I refuse to stand for.

http://www.lifenews.com/2014/01/30/al-gore-promotes-population-control-africans-must-have-their-fertility-managed/

KENYA: HOW LAVEMP 2 HAVE CHANGED LIVES OF SIAYA FISHERMEN

To: “jaluo@jaluo.com”

By Agwanda Saye

Residents and fishermen along Kamin Oningo Beach situated off Ndori-Luanda Kotieno Roard within Rarieda Sub County in Siaya County have something to rejoice about courtesy of Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project’s efforts to uplift living standards along the Lake Victoria shores.

To the fishermen long gone are the days when they were used to be marooned in the lake, incur post fishing harvest losses, use of ordinary boats for fishing and as well they don’t use natural fishing gears.

The beach which is run by a management unit headed by Tobias Ochieng’ Katete are thankful to LVEMP 2 for having granted them finance to have a safety motorized boat, fence their beach and improve the livelihoods of the residents within the beaches.

According to Katie , they presently collect harvested fish on time courtesy of the motorized safety boat as well as help in rescue missions in times of distress among the member fishermen within the Lake.

“The motorized safety boat does not only collects the fish from the boats in deep seas but also helps in transportation of the sick along the beaches and the islands as well as rescuing marooned fishermen in the Lake” Katete added.

He adds that previously there were incidences of boat capsizing and killing both passengers and fisher folk as a result of delayed rescue something which is a past now.

He further says that the motorized motor boat is usually on stand by for twenty fours and is ready to help in case of any lake accidents regardless of whether the victims are members or not but of course at subsidized fee which is going for the boats’ operational costs.

The said boat is also used in monitoring, control and surveillance of fisheries activities within the lake incase of any eventuality within the lake.

Katete adds that their objectives seems to have yielded fruits as fish yields have gone up by 50% as their statistics in November 2013 shows that they goat 2800 kg of Nile perch while in October the same year they could only harvest 2130kgs.

The fishermen further have something to cheer about as the Beach Management Unit has made it sure that they remit a certain percentage of their earnings to their savings as well as their safety is guaranteed within the lake as there is a mobile phone hotline’s number which they can use in any form of emergency.

“Our women and youths have not been left behind as we have youths sports and some small errands run by the youths and our women are contracted to ferrying the fish from the boats to our banda.

ja1k0425.txt

Shifting global power

From: Emmanuel Dennis

https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/rqrfn4jlj8QKBSETasL1ytRHyAL1RYtOU6ek2-mlnzx93nYRL7bCbyJUUqB-Fk1I53VMHg7IqOsXmRavmtSUdFJty8B4FptNuwWN3LZmE9o=s0-d-e1-ft#https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.350.org/images/gps_info_en.jpg
http://act.350.org/go/5070?t=1&akid=4472.850573.Gj_Tjd

Global Power Shift is scaling up the climate movement in an unprecedented way — it is sparking climate action all over the world.

After our massive gathering in Istanbul last year to train young leaders in grassroots and climate activism, thousands of youth have joined regional events, organised mobilisations and launched campaigns to fight the climate crisis in country after country — Australia, Ukraine, Canada, Vietnam, France, Kenya, Philippines, Brazil, Egypt, China and India are just some of them. And we’re not done yet — more Power Shifts are planned for the coming months! Check this awesome timeline to see what the teams are up to.
http://act.350.org/go/3713?t=5&akid=4472.850573.Gj_Tjd

From national summits to months of action, these teams are building innovative, bold climate activism in their regions. They are exposing fossil fuel corporations and pressuring their leaders to take serious action. They are promoting and implementing clean, renewable energy, reaching and engaging frontline communities, and highlighting climate impacts. They’re working with well established partners and articulating effective, coordinated campaigns to tackle climate change. But most of all — they’re taking climate leadership and shifting the power!

There’s still a lot to do and we’re certainly going to see many powerful, inspiring campaigns sparking across the planet. But we are so excited about how Global Power Shift is moving so far that we wanted to share the news with you. Can you share the infographic with your friends too?
http://act.350.org/go/5069?t=6&akid=4472.850573.Gj_Tjd

Onwards,

350.org is building a global movement to solve the climate crisis. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for email alerts. You can help power our work by making a donation To change your email address or update your contact info, click here.



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Innovation Prize for Africa 2014 Finalists Announced

From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE

From the World’s First Injectable Skeleton Regeneration Protein to a Domestic Waste Biogas System, Ten Africans Are Innovating the Future of the Continent

JOHANNESBURG, South-Africa, April 10, 2014/ — The African Innovation Foundation (AIF) (http://www.africaninnovation.org) announced the finalists of the prestigious Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) 2014 (http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org). Ten African innovators have created practical solutions to some of the continent’s most intractable problems, from a domestic waste biogas system to a wafer matrix for paediatric antiretroviral (ARV) drug treatment. Chosen from almost 700 applications from 42 countries, the finalists for the IPA 2014 represent Africans’ potential to address the challenges that are unique to the continent.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/ipa-1.png

The winners of the IPA 2014 will be announced at an awards ceremony on 5 May in Abuja, Nigeria, where keynote speaker, the Honourable Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister of finance, will highlight the importance of innovation to unlock Africa’s potential for sustainable development and economic growth. The winner will receive USD 100 000 for the best innovation based on marketability, originality, scalability, social impact and clear business potential. A runner up will receive USD 25 000 for the best commercial potential and another winner will receive USD 25 000 as a special prize for innovation with the highest social impact. Prior to the awards ceremony, a roundtable featuring innovation experts will take place, to address the theme “A Path to Building Industrial Nation Skillsets in Africa”.

“As global leaders gather for the 2014 World Economic Forum on Africa to discuss approaches to inclusive growth and job creation, the IPA 2014 innovators demonstrate that the best way to achieve equitable economic growth for all Africans is to invest in local innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, founder of the African Innovation Foundation and the IPA.

From South Africa to Niger, the IPA 2014 finalists are:

• Ashley Uys (South Africa)

OculusID Impairment Screening

The OculusID Impairment Screening device is designed to measure pupil response to light emissions. The pupil response can then be measured against pre-determined benchmarks. These benchmarks are applied to measure substance abuse, physiological defects and even fatigue. The device is a far less invasive procedure than existing methods.

• Daniel Gitau Thairu (Kenya)

Domestic Waste Biogas System

The Domestic Waste Biogas System is a new type of biogas digester which utilizes any material capable of decomposing instead of relying on animal dung to generate gas. Materials that can be used include dirty water, leftover food, spoiled grain, and vegetable and fruit peelings. This makes biogas usable even by households that cannot afford animals.

• Elise Rasel Cloete (South Africa)

GMP Traceability Management Software CC

This software is programmed to capture, store and trace data about livestock and enables data to be captured in real-time. The data is then stored in an ear tag placed on livestock and backed up on a remote server.

• Joshua Okello (Kenya)

WinSenga

This innovation is a low-cost mobile phone based antenatal diagnosis kit that captures foetal heart beat sounds and provides diagnosis which is sent to the mother through SMS. The data can also be uploaded to cloud storage.

• Logou Minsob (Togo)

Foufoumix

This is a device designed to replace the mortar and pestles used in preparing the popular West African dish, foufou. The “FOUFOUMIX ” is a small electrical food processor that allows generates discreet, quick and hygienic foufou in 8 minutes, substantially reducing the amount of time needed to prepare the dish, while also enhancing the hygienic conditions during production.

• Dr. Nicolaas Duneas (South Africa)

Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM™)

Altis OBM is the world’s first injectable bone-graft product containing a complex mix of various bone growth compounds derived from porcine (pig). It is used to stimulate the host’s own tissue regeneration system in a way that leads to the healing of a fracture or bone void, much in the same way as occurs in a normal unassisted fracture healing processes.

• Maman Abdou Kane (Niger)

Horticultural tele irrigation

The “Horticultural Tele-Irrigation system is a technological process that allows growers to remotely control their market garden irrigation system through a mobile or landline regardless of geographic location.

• Melesse Temesgen (Ethiopia)

Aybar BBM

The Aybar BBM is a low-cost farming device that can be used by farmers to plough fields that are usually waterlogged and helps them easily drain the water. This turns soils or fields that were otherwise unavailable for farming into high yielding fields.

• Sulaiman Bolarinde Famro (Nigeria)

Farmking Mobile Multi-crop Processor

The innovation uses centrifugal forces to process cassava, sweet potatoes, soy, she-nuts, grains and cereals. It helps to separate the tubers from liquid, particles and impurities/toxic elements. The extractor is designed to replace the present crude fermentation and pressing technology which is extremely slow and wasteful and offers limited output and profitability. The extractor reduces a process that normally takes 3 – 4 days into a 5 minute process offering higher quality product outputs.

• Viness Pillay (South Africa)

WaferMatTM

WaferMatTM is a tasty paediatric formulation of ARV therapy in the form of a wafer that dissolves within 3 seconds of being placed in the mouth. The wafer makes the process of administering the drug to children easier and also makes absorption more efficient.

The AIF believes that the best solutions to the challenges Africans face on a daily basis can and will come from Africans themselves and innovation is the key. The IPA selection committee represents private equity investors, seed funders, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, innovation catalysts and development leaders who are looking for ideas that move Africa forward. The call for applications for IPA 2015 will be announced in July. For detailed information of competition categories, conditions of entry, and submission details, please visit: http://www.innovationprizeforafrica.org. For highlights and more information, follow the IPA on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/IPAprize) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/InnovationPrizeforAfrica).

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA).

Contacts

Mimi Kalinda, Weber Shandwick

Phone + 27 72 688 1250

Email mkalinda@webershandwick.com

Pauline Mujawamariya, AIF

Phone + 41 44 515 5466

Email p.mujawamariya@africaninnovation.org

About IPA

The Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA) is an award founded by the African Innovation Foundation (http://www.africaninnovation.org). It mobilizes African innovators and entrepreneurs by providing a total of USD 150 000 to winners who deliver market-oriented solutions for African-led development. The IPA honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency or cost savings in Africa. The prize also encourages private equity investors, government and development leaders to invest across sectors and build a climate that fuels Africa’s economic growth. For more information visit http://www.InnovationPrizeforAfrica.org. For additional media background visit http://www.AfricanInnovationNews.org.

SOURCE

Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA)